Style for Less

Rutgers loves to party. Thursday through Saturday, come 9 p.m., music blasts down the dorm hallways while hoards of students get ready to go out and dance their butts off. Being a girl, I know that half the fun is getting dressed up with your girlfriends before leaving for the parties. However, some of us have the tendency to let the festive mood get the best of our judgment, so that we choose too-revealing outfits that forego comfort in favor of perceived sexiness. Get inspired by this season's rockstar trend when putting together a Friday night look that's both classy and alluring.

The easiest basis for a sultry nighttime outfit is an embellished mini dress. A pared-down structure keeps it casual while sparkles in the form of studs or sequins glam up your look. The shortness of the dress lets you feel unconstrained on the dance floor — just make sure to pair it with some leggings or opaque tights in order to avoid an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction. Alice and Olivia's one-shouldered sequin dress in gold is a chic option, but seriously threatens your wallet at $484 (at Shopbop.com). Forever 21 sells its own similar black version, which is much more affordable at $24.80. Plus, the dress in black is edgier and more demure than the gold one.

The next most essential component to a killer look is footwear. Ladies love heels, but you could stay out so much longer in more comfortable shoes! Consider biker boots — a cooler and more comfortable alternative that won't leave you quite as achy as your other options. Additionally, the chunkiness of the boots will play down the girly-ness of the dress, toughening up your look and lending you a more laissez-faire attitude. Frye's Rogan Engineer boots are gorgeous in real leather but painful to pay for at $328. For something more budget-friendly (that you'll also feel better beating up), check out the Moto Strap Boot by Deena and Ozzy at Urban Outfitters for $68. It's not exactly pocket change, but they do have the bonus of extra hardware.

Finally, as we come into the colder months of November and December, you really need to invest in a jacket to keep warm on the way to parties. Since jackets are hard to keep track of while you're out, and they usually sustain considerable wear and tear, don't sink too much money into this piece. The ubiquitous leather jacket of this season is ideal, and there are plenty of faux versions that won't break the bank. Alexander's Leather Motorcycle Vest is a dream (seriously: at $1,295 at Net-a-Porter.com, keep dreaming). A more realistic choice is Forever 21's Cropped Moto Jacket for $39.80. The leather jacket is another great accessory that makes you look like you aren't trying too hard.

Don't forget some chain-heavy jewelry and a slash of red lipstick to complete the look, along with a cross-body bag to keep your phone and wallet close by at all times. Now you are ready for a Friday night party, dressed in fashion that wont break the bank.